J.P. Eggers, vice dean of MBA and graduate programs and an associate professor of management and organizations at NYU Stern School of Business, says he's disappointed that Amazon withdrew its plans to build half of its new headquarters in New York City, but says the school will continue to nurture bonds with the company. Business-school leaders in Virginia, where Amazon still plans to operate, have said they hope to see the plans boost their programs.

MBA candidates should ask themselves several questions to find the right program to suit their needs, including what industry they want to work in and their motivation for pursuing a degree. Jason Garner, director of admissions at American University's Kogod School of Business in Washington, D.C., says students also need to consider a school's location relative to their interests.

Fewer students from the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad sought careers in entrepreneurship this year, according to the school's placement committee. The school reported that students were offered jobs in fields such as analytics, banking and technology.

While some business schools struggle to attract students, top-tier schools are seeing enrollment increases, something John Byrne, editor-in-chief of Poets & Quants, calls a "flight to quality." In this commentary, Byrne presents data showing that the top 10 business schools now account for 36% of MBA enrollment as market share fell for lower- and nonranked programs.

MBA applicants seeking to enter a business school's deferred admissions program should communicate a clear vision for their future career and highlight leadership and community-building skills, writes Matt Symonds, co-director of Fortuna Admissions. In this commentary, he offers a brief review of several popular deferred MBA programs.

The Association of Public and Land-grant Universities this year will begin exploring plans to test strategies to embed industry certifications into four-year degrees, a practice already in place at some community colleges. Currently, such practices are a patchwork and the Lumina Foundation is committing funds to study outcomes of blending certifications and degrees.

A study shows that 35% of black students in California completed college-preparation courses required for admission to state colleges, up from 27% in 2011, but the percentage still lags behind those of other groups. The Campaign for College Opportunity report recommends several steps to alleviate the disparity, including hiring more college faculty and staff of color.

A letter to Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert Wilkie signed by leaders of several advocacy groups asks for more regulation of for-profit colleges that accept GI Bill benefits. An audit late last year by the VA's inspector general found that predatory colleges could collect $2.3 billion in tuition benefits over the next five years unless oversight is improved.